West Plains High School Graduation Plans

The West Plains High School is set to provide a modified graduation ceremony with reduced numbers to comply with local and state ordinances and to observe safe interaction while providing the best possible ceremony for our graduates.

The Class of 2020 will have its commencement ceremony on Saturday, June 6, at 10:00 a.m. at the Zizzer Stadium. This will allow the class of 2020 to graduate together at the football stadium. To comply with local rules, only six guests will be admitted. Each graduate will be issued seven (7) graduation tickets - one for the graduate and six for close family members or friends to attend the ceremony.

Dress for the ceremony:

Due to the ceremony being held outdoors and with summer temperatures being warm, we are relaxing the dress requirements. Students may wear shorts or other forms of warm season clothing provided the school dress code is followed, and the clothing is appropriate for a public ceremony.

Decorations of the cap are permissible so long as they represent the student’s college, military service branch, or trade school. All decorations must be tasteful and are subject to approval by the administration. The administrator(s) in charge will make the final decision about denying a graduating senior the privilege of participating in the ceremony due to inappropriate attire.

Admittance to the ceremony:

Gates will open at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 6, 2020

Students with last names beginning A-M will enter the stadium through the main entrance and will park in the main lot located off Howell Street.

Students with last names beginning N-Z will enter the stadium through the Northeast entrance and will park in the middle school parking lot or the soccer field parking lot

Handicapped parking is available at both locations – please look for signs.

Temperature checks:

In the interest of public safety and health, all attendees will have their temperature taken prior to entering the ceremony using a temporal scan thermometer administered by health professionals from Ozarks Medical Center. Those with a temperature reading of 100 degrees or above will be referred to a medical station for further evaluation. Following the evaluation, determination will be made if the person can remain at the ceremony. Those who must leave will need to view the ceremony via live stream.

Please follow the CDC social distancing guidelines with those other than the members of your party.

Tickets:

All guests will need a blue ticket and each graduate will need a red ticket, no exceptions. Each graduate is limited to six guests, tickets are not transferrable and must be used for their designated seating area. The graduate and guests must arrive and leave together.

Students who did not pick up tickets on May 27 and 28 may still pick up tickets the week of June 1-4 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Seating:

Each graduate must sit in the box with their guests. Switching seating is prohibited.

Rehearsal:

There will be no graduation rehearsal.

Prohibited Items:

Large bags are not allowed in Zizzer stadium.

No coolers will be allowed in the stadium.

No beach balls, inflatable items, or signs allowed.

West Plains High School is a tobacco, alcohol and drug free campus.

All bags are subject to search by West Plains Police.

Photographs: All seniors are provided a free 5x7 “Diploma Presentation” photo, compliments of the West Plains R-7 Board of Education. It may be picked up, along with your diploma, in the upstairs office after June

On-line viewing:

The ceremony will be live streamed through the Ozark Radio Network Facebook page so those unable to attend can view the festivities.

Rain dates and times: In the event of inclement weather on Saturday, June 6 at 10:00 a.m., the following back up times will be utilized: June 6, 2:00 p.m., and June 6, 4:00 p.m. In the event these times are canceled due to weather, we will move the ceremony to Sunday, June 7 at 2:00 p.m. Please follow the district Facebook page for updated inclement weather information.